BELLA’s latest edition honors frontline workers and guess who was included? This Beauty issue is for sale here.
ELENA:)
I know – because I am not writing after every trip I’m starting to slack off and honestly couldn’t remember if I went anywhere in the last quarter. That’s how bad my memory is. But thanks to my IG photos I remembered – Cancun and the more recent trips to DC and NY.
Cancun (May 9 – 12)
For my second organized press trip ever, I headed off to Cancun, Mexico. A fun, easy jaunt to Cancun makes for an easy getaway for those who need a trip away but don’t want the hassle of actually planning anything. Like zero. Except for maybe the dates and what to pack on the trip.
I never do all-inclusive resorts for the simple fact that feeling stuck in one place makes me feel claustrophobic. Yet, I based that feeling on a short prior trip that was an all-inclusive. So I needed to set the record straight.
I arrived dressed all in black in the sweltering heat and was whisked away in a shuttle to the Panama Jack Resort. I was thankfully welcomed with a refreshing drink and a tote full of goodies helpful for the short week ahead. Once I freshened up it was time to meet the crew over some tequila tasting and then a scrumptious surf and turf dinner on the beach. What a great way to start the trip.
The next day, after a quick tour of the hotel and all the amenities we were off to visit a stingless bee farm. I knew there was a bee scarcity issue in the world, but what I didn’t realize was that most bees live in the Southern Hemisphere. At this bee farm they work with the Mayan farmers to spread the hives throughout the area, this helps to sustain the bees while creating work for the locals.
The next day we visited Chichen Itza, a huge Mayan temple. I had no idea that it was one of the wonders of the world (clearly I needed to Google that after visiting). It’s too bad it can no longer be climbed but it was definitely a sight to see. After walking around Chichen Itza, we went to the Ikkil Cenote/Ts’onote (a fresh water filled sink hole). Then it was back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. After a semi-scandalous last night (no details will be mentioned here – you’ll have to ask me in person) we all had a good laugh the next day over brunch. Read the coverage I did of Panama Jack for RESIDENT Magazine here.
Washington DC (June 3-6)
I managed to book Good Morning Washington in DC for my book and since I had never gone (well since I was 7), I thought this would be the perfect time to write a city guide on DC for RESIDENT as well. Watch how the show went (in my opinion – it wasn’t my best interview) but c’est la vie. DC has so many great food spots; Le Diplomate, Iron Gate, Espita Mezcaleria were three of my faves as well as this hidden cocktail bar below a donut shop called Nocturne. I really enjoyed the Portrait Gallery and walking around the National Mall as well.
NYC (Jun 6-9)
NYC was a whirlwind as per usual. Between stacking up the meetings and heading to my usual PaintBox appointment and finally checking out old hot spots like Hotel Chantelle (that isn’t actually a hotel) and Jimmy at the James Hotel. No matter how many times of been to NY, I still manage to visit new places and It seemed to be a time of great change: friends were leaving NYC, getting married, having babies, buying apartments. So much change.
ELENA:)
Here is the piece that was published on BELLA LA for the cute boutique hotel I stayed in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
ELENA:)
I can’t believe that I am so behind on all my posts. That’s ok. This one will be short as this was a brief trip to NY and I actually did not stay in any new hotels.
The first two nights I stayed over with the founder of LifeTold in Queens. A bit of a trek from the city, but still a great visit. After spending a leisurely weekend getting nails done (PaintBox), brunch at Balthazar and shopping, I stacked up my meetings (as per usual) for Monday and headed over to my other friends apartment in the city.
After making a crucial trip to Caravan Stylist studio I was ready to meet and greet! Later in the night I attended three fun holiday parties: RESIDENT Magazine, Fairmont Gold party (possibly this best party I have ever attended in my entire life!) and this real estate broker party (which definitely showed a different side to New York).
The next day, after a interview shoot with T’Zikal (see the interview on my News & Events page) I went to the BELLA NY holiday party which was also very fun.
I headed home to spend the rest of Dec. working away (clearly too busy to post this! Ha!).
ELENA:)
As the weather changes and I pull out my winter coat, I think fondly – not too long ago I was in Bali enjoying my latest favorite spa treatment. The cream hair massage is super. Imagine having a scalp massage for an hour, while your hair is covered in fresh coconut cream and different fresh spices. Needless to say, I had the treatment three different times on my trip. It was incredible.
At home, I struggle to find something remotely similar to the wonderful aromatic treatment I had abroad. I’m hard pressed to find a fresh, ripe coconut ready to be cracked open for my hair treatment at the local grocery and no freshly picked spices at my disposable to build my concoction. In fact, it’s hard to find beauty products on the market that are made without other additives, artificial colors and dyes. It’s nice to see that the use of simple ingredients and traditional techniques can yield fantastic results.
The T’zikal (derived from the Mayan word meaning sanctified or blessed) Beauty Group from New York City follows such suit by using Ojon oil, from the fruit of Palm Nut Tree. A single tree yields 8,000 nuts which is just enough to produce three cups of pure oil. Once the nut is cracked open, its boiled in a kettle for 5-7 hours and the oil is extracted. What’s so special about Ojon oil anyway? Its nutrient rich in omega oils which help replenish and rebuild hair, leaving it extraordinarily soft and shiny.
On my trip to New York, I got to experience the T’zikal collection first hand and have some fun things in store. Be sure to stay tuned and for more information and where to purchase T’zikal products visit their site.
ELENA:)